Hi there,
By now, I'm sure you've heard that WCRB will be sold to WGBH sometime in the next 60 to 90 days. I've heard from many of you asking what that means for WCRB.
The good news is: WCRB will remain a classical station! What a relief! As you know, whenever there are ownership changes at radio, there are questions about what the new owners intend to do.
WGBH will also transform WCRB to a non-commercial station when the sale goes through.
Here's to many, many more years of classical music on the air in Boston!
My best to you today,
Mark
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Time away from Boston
Good morning!
It's a beautiful late summer's day here in Boston.....let's enjoy these days while we still can!
As I return from the Labor Day weekend in Georgia, and contemplate heading to the midwest for a few days with family, I'm reminded how fortunate we are to have WCRB on the air in New England. There really aren't many full-time classical stations in many regions. Some will play classical music at odd hours....but if you are visiting and unfamiliar with the schedules, you are often left with choices such as talk radio, really loud music, or no radio at all.
It's a beautiful late summer's day here in Boston.....let's enjoy these days while we still can!
As I return from the Labor Day weekend in Georgia, and contemplate heading to the midwest for a few days with family, I'm reminded how fortunate we are to have WCRB on the air in New England. There really aren't many full-time classical stations in many regions. Some will play classical music at odd hours....but if you are visiting and unfamiliar with the schedules, you are often left with choices such as talk radio, really loud music, or no radio at all.
So, I wanted to just take a minute this morning and thank you for making this happen. It's your support that keeps WCRB on the air.....and it's a privelege to be part of this great radio station.
Enjoy the day.....and the music!
Mark
Mark
Monday, August 24, 2009
This weekend and next on WCRB
Hi there,
I hope you're doing well, and surviving the heat! I experimented with leaving my windows open on Saturday night. The old saying, "It's not the heat....it's the humidity!" proved to be true! I woke up early on Sunday, and promptly shut the windows, and turned on the A.C! Mind you, I'm not complaining here.....I will enjoy this summer weather for as long as we have it here in New England!
We're making plans for a couple of enjoyable weekends on WCRB. Starting this Friday afternoon, we'll be featuring the greatest pianists ever by playing some of the most beloved works from the classical piano repertoire. We hope you can make us part of your plans for this special weekend of music....which will begin at 4 on Friday afternoon.
The following week, we'll be anticipating the Labor Day weekend by playing the top 500 classical pieces of all-time. That's quite an undertaking! And, we're asking for your help in putting this list together. Please visit our website, (www.wcrb.com) and click on the Labor Day 500 on the front page. From there, we'll ask you to let us know about your favorite piece. Visit and vote as often as you like....it's a long way to 500 pieces. We will play the 500 pieces as complete works....beginning sometime next week. Once we've tabulated the top 500 pieces, I'll actually schedule the music in reverse....so that #1 plays Labor Day night around 9. Keep checking back to this blog, and to our facebook page. I'll let you know when the Labor Day 500 will begin....just as soon as I've put it all together! :)
Thanks for listening to WCRB, and as always, thanks for your support of Boston's Classical Station!
My best,
Mark
I hope you're doing well, and surviving the heat! I experimented with leaving my windows open on Saturday night. The old saying, "It's not the heat....it's the humidity!" proved to be true! I woke up early on Sunday, and promptly shut the windows, and turned on the A.C! Mind you, I'm not complaining here.....I will enjoy this summer weather for as long as we have it here in New England!
We're making plans for a couple of enjoyable weekends on WCRB. Starting this Friday afternoon, we'll be featuring the greatest pianists ever by playing some of the most beloved works from the classical piano repertoire. We hope you can make us part of your plans for this special weekend of music....which will begin at 4 on Friday afternoon.
The following week, we'll be anticipating the Labor Day weekend by playing the top 500 classical pieces of all-time. That's quite an undertaking! And, we're asking for your help in putting this list together. Please visit our website, (www.wcrb.com) and click on the Labor Day 500 on the front page. From there, we'll ask you to let us know about your favorite piece. Visit and vote as often as you like....it's a long way to 500 pieces. We will play the 500 pieces as complete works....beginning sometime next week. Once we've tabulated the top 500 pieces, I'll actually schedule the music in reverse....so that #1 plays Labor Day night around 9. Keep checking back to this blog, and to our facebook page. I'll let you know when the Labor Day 500 will begin....just as soon as I've put it all together! :)
Thanks for listening to WCRB, and as always, thanks for your support of Boston's Classical Station!
My best,
Mark
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Last night's Hatch Shell concert
Good morning!
I'm still in for Laura while she and her family finish their great Alaskan adventure! Laura will be back on Monday morning at 5, and I'll get back to my routine, playing classical music from 2-7. While I have enjoyed doing the early morning show, we are creatures of habit....and I look forward to a return to "normal"....or at least as "normal" as my life gets! :)
Last night's concert at the Hatch Shell marked the return of the Landmarks Orchestra to the Landmarks Festival at the Shell. We celebrated "opera highlights" with 4 soloists from the Boston Lyric Opera. What a night! Charles Ansbacher and the orchestra gave brilliant performances, and the soloists were exceptional!
The night began quite literally with a bang....one of those accidents on Storrow Drive got our attention. But, our frayed nerves were soon calmed by the beautiful sounds coming from the historic Hatch Shell. One of the highlights came for me when the first half of the evening ended with a beautiful rendition of "La Dona e mobile"....I wanted to sing along, but not knowing Italian very well, settled for a little humming instead!
These Wednesday night concerts are a highlight of the summer for many of us! In spite of drizzle and mist, about 4,000 of us really enjoyed the experience. I hope you'll be with us for next Wednesday night's concert.
If you were there last night, I'd love to know what you think! Feel free to respond to my blog here, or on our facebook page!
Here's to a great rest of the week,
Mark
I'm still in for Laura while she and her family finish their great Alaskan adventure! Laura will be back on Monday morning at 5, and I'll get back to my routine, playing classical music from 2-7. While I have enjoyed doing the early morning show, we are creatures of habit....and I look forward to a return to "normal"....or at least as "normal" as my life gets! :)
Last night's concert at the Hatch Shell marked the return of the Landmarks Orchestra to the Landmarks Festival at the Shell. We celebrated "opera highlights" with 4 soloists from the Boston Lyric Opera. What a night! Charles Ansbacher and the orchestra gave brilliant performances, and the soloists were exceptional!
The night began quite literally with a bang....one of those accidents on Storrow Drive got our attention. But, our frayed nerves were soon calmed by the beautiful sounds coming from the historic Hatch Shell. One of the highlights came for me when the first half of the evening ended with a beautiful rendition of "La Dona e mobile"....I wanted to sing along, but not knowing Italian very well, settled for a little humming instead!
These Wednesday night concerts are a highlight of the summer for many of us! In spite of drizzle and mist, about 4,000 of us really enjoyed the experience. I hope you'll be with us for next Wednesday night's concert.
If you were there last night, I'd love to know what you think! Feel free to respond to my blog here, or on our facebook page!
Here's to a great rest of the week,
Mark
Monday, August 10, 2009
In for Laura Carlo this week...
Good morning!
Laura is cruising the Alaskan coastline this week with her husband, son and several WCRB listeners. So, I'm sitting in for her, rising very early to spend time with you from 5 to 9. All of my friends ask me, "how can you function that early in the morning?!?" It's a good question. But, there really is something to driving in to the station before anyone else is on the road...(the commute is a breeze!). And, there's something to collecting your thoughts before anyone arrives here at work...then getting the opportunity to start the day with some of the most amazing music ever created. It really does set the pace, and help me to put things in perspective. As you head into work this week, or begin your day doing whatever you do, I hope that our classical music will do the very same for you.
Starting tomorrow, WCRB's going to begin playing what we're calling "WCRB's classic from the archives"...at different times every day. As you probably know, WCRB has been around for a very long time...over 60 years. And, we have lots of music in the archives. We thought it would be good to share this music with you over time. As I preview some of the material we'll be featuring from performers no longer with us, in many cases, I'm struck by the timelessness of classical music. It was every bit as powerful then as today. And, the performers from 40 or 50 years ago played with passion and virtuosity. I hope you'll rediscover the beauty of these recordings with us over time.
All for now....have to head on the air. Here's to a good week for all of us!
Mark
Laura is cruising the Alaskan coastline this week with her husband, son and several WCRB listeners. So, I'm sitting in for her, rising very early to spend time with you from 5 to 9. All of my friends ask me, "how can you function that early in the morning?!?" It's a good question. But, there really is something to driving in to the station before anyone else is on the road...(the commute is a breeze!). And, there's something to collecting your thoughts before anyone arrives here at work...then getting the opportunity to start the day with some of the most amazing music ever created. It really does set the pace, and help me to put things in perspective. As you head into work this week, or begin your day doing whatever you do, I hope that our classical music will do the very same for you.
Starting tomorrow, WCRB's going to begin playing what we're calling "WCRB's classic from the archives"...at different times every day. As you probably know, WCRB has been around for a very long time...over 60 years. And, we have lots of music in the archives. We thought it would be good to share this music with you over time. As I preview some of the material we'll be featuring from performers no longer with us, in many cases, I'm struck by the timelessness of classical music. It was every bit as powerful then as today. And, the performers from 40 or 50 years ago played with passion and virtuosity. I hope you'll rediscover the beauty of these recordings with us over time.
All for now....have to head on the air. Here's to a good week for all of us!
Mark
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Last night's concert
Hi there,
Last night, the Landmarks Festival at the Shell was moved from the Hatch Shell to Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory because of the weather. Thanks to all of you who made the transition to join us at this location...Jordan Hall was filled to capacity.
From a completely selfish standpoint, I have to say that I was thrilled with the result! The acoustics in Jordan Hall are second to none....and we were able to hear every single note, every single nuance to the music...it was quite a treat.
The Youth Orchestra of the Americas, 75 young musicians from the western hemisphere...was just sensational. It was exciting to see young people in an orchestra....swinging, swaying, feeling the passion of the music. It really brought Dvorak's New World Symphony to life for me. The double bass players were a sight to behold!
Gabriela Montero, the pianist for Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto #2 was just amazing. She felt and expressed every imaginable nuance....one could think....just as intended by Rachmaninov himself. She then treated us to her musical talent in an encore....she asked the audience to name a couple of songs everyone knew, and she would improvise on them for us. So, we heard a brilliant classical approach to The Sound of Music...and to Take Me Out To The Ball Game! What fun!
I cannot think of a better teacher for these young musicians than Benjamin Zander. I believe his passion for music is contagious. He is one of those fine conductors that not only expresses himself so that the musicians know what he wants....when he conducts, he actually helps the audience to understand what's happening on the stage. It's a true gift.
OK. I realize I sound like I'm gushing a bit....I just wanted to share some of my impressions of the night with you....in hopes that perhaps you will come and join us for our next free concert....the Landmarks Orchestra at the Shell continues with another free concert next Wednesday night at 7 at the Hatch Shell...we hope to see you there!
Mark
Last night, the Landmarks Festival at the Shell was moved from the Hatch Shell to Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory because of the weather. Thanks to all of you who made the transition to join us at this location...Jordan Hall was filled to capacity.
From a completely selfish standpoint, I have to say that I was thrilled with the result! The acoustics in Jordan Hall are second to none....and we were able to hear every single note, every single nuance to the music...it was quite a treat.
The Youth Orchestra of the Americas, 75 young musicians from the western hemisphere...was just sensational. It was exciting to see young people in an orchestra....swinging, swaying, feeling the passion of the music. It really brought Dvorak's New World Symphony to life for me. The double bass players were a sight to behold!
Gabriela Montero, the pianist for Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto #2 was just amazing. She felt and expressed every imaginable nuance....one could think....just as intended by Rachmaninov himself. She then treated us to her musical talent in an encore....she asked the audience to name a couple of songs everyone knew, and she would improvise on them for us. So, we heard a brilliant classical approach to The Sound of Music...and to Take Me Out To The Ball Game! What fun!
I cannot think of a better teacher for these young musicians than Benjamin Zander. I believe his passion for music is contagious. He is one of those fine conductors that not only expresses himself so that the musicians know what he wants....when he conducts, he actually helps the audience to understand what's happening on the stage. It's a true gift.
OK. I realize I sound like I'm gushing a bit....I just wanted to share some of my impressions of the night with you....in hopes that perhaps you will come and join us for our next free concert....the Landmarks Orchestra at the Shell continues with another free concert next Wednesday night at 7 at the Hatch Shell...we hope to see you there!
Mark
Monday, July 27, 2009
Youth Orchestra of the Americas AND a different kind of Top 30 weekend!
Hi again!
It is really feeling like summer this week....with heat and humidity, no less! I'm glad that you're listening to WCRB this summer....and being so great about supporting our station and our events! Last Wednesday night, we had another huge turnout for the "Landmarks Festival at the Shell."
This Wednesday night should be extraordinary: Benjamin Zander will conduct the Youth Orchestra of the Americas. Seventy-five of the most talented young musicians from across the Western Hemisphere have come together this summer for an international tour of concerts and community outreach programs. And, this Wednesday night, we’ll be treated to the orchestra performing Rachmaninov’s Piano concerto #2 featuring the pianist Gabriela Montero, and Dvorak’s Symphony #4! Our free concert begins at 7 at the Hatch Shell. Bring a friend, a picnic, and be ready for a great evening. And remember to stop by and say hi.....I'll look forward to meeting you!
This coming weekend on WCRB, we're putting together a different kind of top 30 countdown.....we'll be counting down the 30 greatest Symphonies of all time! To be sure, any top 30 list of this sort is subjective in nature....one thing is certain, however....we have a weekend of incredible music planned! Our "Top 30 Symphonies" weekend begins Friday afternoon at 4. Oh...and by the way, we will be featuring the complete works....not just individual movements! Enjoy! :)
Thanks again for listening to WCRB....and for taking the time to read my blog today!
Mark
It is really feeling like summer this week....with heat and humidity, no less! I'm glad that you're listening to WCRB this summer....and being so great about supporting our station and our events! Last Wednesday night, we had another huge turnout for the "Landmarks Festival at the Shell."
This Wednesday night should be extraordinary: Benjamin Zander will conduct the Youth Orchestra of the Americas. Seventy-five of the most talented young musicians from across the Western Hemisphere have come together this summer for an international tour of concerts and community outreach programs. And, this Wednesday night, we’ll be treated to the orchestra performing Rachmaninov’s Piano concerto #2 featuring the pianist Gabriela Montero, and Dvorak’s Symphony #4! Our free concert begins at 7 at the Hatch Shell. Bring a friend, a picnic, and be ready for a great evening. And remember to stop by and say hi.....I'll look forward to meeting you!
This coming weekend on WCRB, we're putting together a different kind of top 30 countdown.....we'll be counting down the 30 greatest Symphonies of all time! To be sure, any top 30 list of this sort is subjective in nature....one thing is certain, however....we have a weekend of incredible music planned! Our "Top 30 Symphonies" weekend begins Friday afternoon at 4. Oh...and by the way, we will be featuring the complete works....not just individual movements! Enjoy! :)
Thanks again for listening to WCRB....and for taking the time to read my blog today!
Mark
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